More Than Manna: A Synopsis of State

Call it weird, but I often find myself humming music in my head from movie clips in relation to what we are doing. For example, when I am looking back at pictures of my boys playing baseball, I hear the music from the Rookie in my head. Or when they are playing in the yard with their neighbor friends, I tune into the Wonder Year's theme song.

The week leading up to State was an exciting and anticipatory time. As I watched the events play out leading up to race day, my mind kept hearing the music in 'Remember the Titans'.

The Thursday night before the meet, the boy's team got mohawks, the customary Heath state haircut. All the boys met out at a team member's house and his mom had the honor of hawking up the hair. Even Coach Durfee got in on the action:

The finished product:

An ultimate team bonding experience:

This one was my personal fav:

The team was scheduled to leave Heath High School at 7:45 A.M. sharp to make the trek to Lexington. Prior to leaving, the school was going to do a send-off. Many of us parents came to be a part of the excitement.

As we waited in the lobby (prior to the first bell ringing), students began gathering in a circle. We quickly realized they were going to pray:

We found out afterwards, that every morning students gather in prayer prior to the first bell ringing. They have been doing this every day since the school shooting several years ago. This absolutely brought tears to my eyes, bringing to mind Romans 8:28:

'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.'

Loved, loved, loved witnessing that.

After the bell rang, the principal called all the students out into the hallway. As music played over the loud speaker and the band played the drums, our Heath runners ran down the hallway--proudly holding their Regional title trophy, high fiving students along the way.

...Remember the Titan's music...

This event--this moment--was one of those that was going to be forever etched in their mind, a memory never forgotten. I have a handful of those moments from high school. This was one of those--one of their handful. Watching this reminded me, again, how thankful I was that they were going to public school and getting to be a part of times like this. As I walked out of the school with a few other mothers, we dried our tears and laughed over the fact that we were shedding tears. But it can't be helped. As our children grow up and move closer and closer to that inevitable day of graduation, the tears come more often and more frequent. They just do.

All the adults gathered around the bus, laid hands on it, asking for God's protection over their trip...

And off they went to pick up all of the Lone Oakers, then on to Lexington it was.

Parents trailed behind sporting the school spirit.

The rest of the hours that day were spent on the bus, checking into the hotel, jogging the course, eating a pasta dinner and hanging out at the mall...

And before you knew it, the morning was upon us and it was time to fuel up for the day.

Here are two of my very favorite Paducah families--God has blessed me abundantly with girl friends like these:

Last minute preparations of the utmost important must be made:

And it is off to the horse park.

Upon arrival we settled in...

Coach Sturm prepared to get the Heath girls together cause they ran first.

But clearly the top priority are some pictures.

Walking to the start line...

Ready, set, go!

Little buddies playing at the side of the course.

Sophie came through the finish at 57th. Not bad for a seventh grader!

The rest of the team came in at 116, 121, 132, 134, and 147....giving the team a 18th place out of 20 teams. As our team wasn't even expected to make it to state, we were completely thrilled and proud of every single one of them for their effort!

Next up were the Heath boys.

Deep breath. Deep breath.

215 lined up at the start line.

Here is Zach and Joshua hanging in the top twenty.

Heath runners looking strong.

Jacob Thomson from Holy Cross won the race and smashed the course record with a time of 15:21. It was an amazing sight watching this young man run.

Zach led our Heath boys, placing tenth!

Unfortunately, Joshua had issues with his foot beginning around mile two. We knew running so soon after his injury would be a gamble. Still, having been ranked in the top ten, he was completely disappointed with his finish of 79th.

This picture hurts his mama.

He was mostly disappointed, though, for feeling like he had let his team down. But they did what good teams do--sticking by your fellow teammate and encouraging him in the good and the bad...

And this team was exactly that--a team. The other runners came through with solid finishes of 37th, 43rd, 56th, 72nd, earning them a podium finish of 4th place overall. Fourth in the state! Way to go Heath!

Not only did Zach finish in the top ten...

He also received the Sportsmanship Award. We are so very proud of him!

We are so going to miss these seniors:

Deep breath. Deep breath.

Cause it is time for the 2A Girls race. Gotta cheer on our Lady Lone Oakers. Some of the Lone Oak boy runners drove all the way up for the day from Paducah to cheer them on. Loyal these boys are. They decided to make themselves known by all. Wes and Eli got in on the action too.

Go Lone Oak, Go!

The Lone Oak girls ran, 34th, 39th, 44th, 119th, & 142nd, placing 8th overall as a team. We were oh so very proud of them!

And I gave them the cutest socks on the course award: